New mixed-income housing for families coming to View Royal

People in need of affordable rental housing in View Royal will have access to more than 150 new housing units following development of a new mixed-income housing project.

Located at 1938 West Park Lane near Thetis Lake, the West Park Lane development is a partnership between the governments of Canada and British Columbia, and the Capital Regional District (CRD), that will build 152 units in two six-storey wood-frame buildings.

Funded through the Regional Housing First Program, the project will provide a minimum of 44 affordable homes, 74 near-market-price homes and 34 shelter-rate homes rented at the provincial income assistance rate of $375 per month.

Building amenities will include laundry, a playground, bicycle storage, electric bike plug-ins and an electric car charger. The Capital Region Housing Corporation will operate the building.

Construction is expected to start in October 2019, with an anticipated opening date of September 2021.

The $90-million Regional Housing First Program is an equal partnership agreement between the federal government through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the B.C. government through BC Housing, and the CRD. The program was launched to create more affordable rental housing and address the needs of people experiencing homelessness in the capital region.

Quotes:

Jean-Yves Duclos, federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for CMHC –

“West Park Lane’s innovative mixed-market approach and unique funding partnership brings all levels of government to the table. Through the National Housing Strategy, we are making historic investments in View Royal and across the country to help middle-class Canadians in communities hit hardest by housing challenges. Soon, people from all walks of life will have a safe and affordable home here, and I look forward to celebrating this project opening its doors in the near future.”

Mitzi Dean, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin –

“Housing affordability affects all of us and, for too long, people in our community suffered as the previous government ignored B.C.’s housing crisis. We’re working hard every day through partnerships like this one to tackle that crisis and make sure more people in Greater Victoria, and throughout the province, have homes they can afford.”

Colin Plant, board chair, Capital Regional District –

“Housing affordability and availability is a critical issue and a key priority for the CRD and requires a strong, collaborative response. The Regional Housing First Program partnership is a shining example of working together with our federal and provincial partners to build affordable and accessible communities that benefit the people who need it most.”

David Screech, mayor, Town of View Royal –

“This project will go a long way to addressing the crucial shortage of affordable and market rental housing in View Royal. We thank our partners at the Capital Regional District, along with the Province and the federal government, for making it possible.”

Quick Facts:

The Regional Housing First Program is expected to create up to 2,000 rental units throughout the CRD.

20% of the units will be rented at provincial income assistance rates within projects that will also include at least 31% affordable rental units and up to 49% near-market rental units on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.

This housing development brings the number of projects approved to date through the Regional Housing First Program to eight, which will create 907 units, including 211 shelter-rate units:

A map showing the location of all of the Regional Housing First Program sites announced to date, as well as other provincially funded housing projects in B.C., is online: https://www.bchousing.org/homes-for-BC